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CHICKAMAUGA. 

For 3 Years or During the War 

Sergeant Benj T, Strong's 
BIOGRAPHY. 
Co A lOl O, V, L 

LATE OF OBERLIN OHIO. 



Kdited and some additions made 
By his comrade C. R. Green. 

member op the 
Mississippi Valley Historical Association. 
Kansas State Historical Society. 
Fjjrelands Historical Society, Norwalk Ohio. 



Published by c. r. green, olathe, Kansas, nov. 1913. 



S Years or During the War. 

Sergeant Benj T. Strong's 
BIOGRAPHY. 

LATE OF OBERLIN OHIO. 



Reminiscences of his service in Co. A 1 1 st O. V. I, Gen'l 
DAVIS' Division, ARMY of the CUMBERLAND. 
Prefaced by his short story of the Battle of Chicamauga, casual- 
ities of Co A, subsequent Prison Life and return Home, 



Kdited and some additions made 
By his comrade C.R. Green. 

MEMBER OF THE 

Mississippi Valley Historical Association. 
Kansas State Historical Society. 
Fjrelands Historical Society, Norwalk Ohio. 

An Appendix giving C. R. Green's experiences Sept. and Oct. '63 
on the Chicamauga Campaign and getting back to Nashville. 

Published by c. r. green, olathe, Kansas, nov. 1913. 
An Edition of SCO Copies only. 



\o\- 

/(cce8s«of©EBEK.lNG. By C. R. Green, Olathe, IQ.N. Nov. 1913, 
Th" L.Bf ARV o^Nii'^t^S I OBITUARY 

Marcus D. Stevens of Co. A, 101 O. V. I who lived near New Lon- 
don, O, died Oct. 29, 1913. He was in the service until June, 1865, 
but not with the regiment more than a year. War aihnents linger- 
ed with him all his life, and at the age of 70, carried him to his 
grave. C. R. Green visited him Sep. IP"! 2 at his home. 

Benjamin Talmage Strong, Sergaentof Co. A, 101st. O. V. I with 
home at Oberlin, O, died Oct. 27, 1913. Had been sick two months 
and died in a hospital with something like bloody flux. I visited 
him in his home at Oberlin, Sep. 1912. 

Members of Co. A Left Alive, so far as Known 
Capt. Benj. F. Bryant, Commandant of the Wisconsin Veteran's 
Home, near Madison, Wis. 

Serg't Abel Knapp, New London, O. 

Corporal Albert R. Hill, Breckenridge, Mich. 

Corporal Patrick Brady, Shelby, O. 

Chester S. Carr, 1752 Stout street Denver, Colorado. 

Miles E. Cartwright, East Norwalk, Ohio. 

Charles R. Green, Olathe, Kansas. 

Harmon Gaston, Clyde, Ohio, very uncertain 

Philhp Henley, 611 North Anghn st., Clebourne, Tex. 

Wilbur Kingsley, 330 Lemon Ave., Dallas, Texas. 

Wm. M. Miner, California ave., near Lake st., Chicago. 111. 

John Stii^.o.>?on, Monroeville, Ohio. 

Herman G. Webster, Monroeville, Ohio. 

John Whaley, Ohio Soldier's Home, Sandusky, Ohio. 



SEflG'T STRONG'S STORY OP THE CHICAMAUGA BATTLE. 
Wlien I visited Benj. Strong last year (1912) I was anxious to 
have a good talk with him about this battle Co. A. went into fhe 
battle with 16 men, and Lieut. Benj. P. Bryant. They came out 
with the Lieutenant and four men present with the regiment. 
Strong, myself and probably others of the company have visited 
the battle field in these l-ibei" years, and tried to reconcile our ex- 
periences into one general story. We have agreed nearly as to 



who of the company was in the bnttle, and what happened to 
each. Strong and myself were each wounded in our arms on the 
2nd day. By some hvely sprinting for a couple of miles, I escaped 
capture, and in six months was well and back with my regiment, 
where I remained most of the time (gone 3 months after Franklin 
I attle), to the end of the war. Strong went through Rebel pris- 
ons and was so disabled by his wound that he was discharged 
May 1864 The following is a short story I got of him the last 
time I saw him: I wrote it down as he talked. 

He says: Orderly Sergeant Fred Jefferson left us at Winches- 
ter. I then became O. S., and at Chicamauga, there was 17 men 
to draw rations of Co. A. This included Lieut. Bryant, Harmon 
Martin who drove ambulance and Sydney Hoff, was present with 
the regiment as the Surgeon's assistant and stretcher-bearer, be- 
cause from Stone river battle he always had a crippled hand, and 
would not be discharged. This left for battle 16 men and Bryant. 

The Following is The List 

Sam Wilson was mortally wounded and left on the first day's 
battlefield, never seen after. 

George Lamaroux, killed and left on the first day's battlefield. 

Fred Haller, shot in the head, and left on the first day's battle- 
field, recovered, and after 15 months of prison fife again 
joined the regiment 

George Coleman, shot and captured, died. 

Abe Inman, shot in groin and captured, died. 

Wm. McPherson, wounded but escaped. 

John R. Griffin, wounded twice but escaped. 

John McGraw, wounded but escaped. 

John Base, captured, lost on steamboat. 

C. R. Green, wounded but escaped. 

B. T Strong, wounded and captured. 

Lieut. Bryant, Sergt. KJnapp, Pat Brady and ( ) 4 men left. 

Strong says that he went through the first day's battle all right, 
"The .second day's battle Bryant and seven men entered the bat- 
tle line in the hastily-built breastworks with the regiment about 
1 p.m. I only tired two or three rounds, when on looking down 



the line to the left, I see that all had risen up from the slight 
breastwork, and were retreating with much confusion. I saw 
no one that I knew. I ran to our Right, slightly oblique. I may- 
have been 8 or 10 rods away when I got a shot in my left arm across 
below the elbow, crushing or fracturing both bones and left a 
numb feeling. I fell down, and almost directly a Rebel line of sol- 
diers passed over me. One grabbed for my new white felt hat, 
but was going so fast he missed it. Another line passed by, and 
one of the Confederates offered me a drink of water, the third line 
went by and then they began to return, and I was ordered to get 
up and go to the rear, where were many rebel wounded. 

I went thus a mile or more across to the south side of Chicamau- 
ga Creek over the Reed bridge. Here was a Field Hospital, con- 
ducted by the Rebels and two of our Surgeons. I was looked at 
and it was decided to let my arm go then, but it was thought that 
it would have to be cut off. It went thirteen days wihout any 
further attention on the doctor's part. 

I had no bandage suitable, but took my red handkerchief that 
the Rebs had helped me to make a sling for my arm with on the 
battlefield, and finally getting a white bandage, I was able to go 
down to the creek, wash and dress my arm alone daily. One day, 
ten days after the battle, I ran on to Abe Inman, who was shot in 
the groin and lying there. He no doubt died right there, as I nev- 
er saw him any more. 

In a few days a lot of us was hauled 5 or 6 miles to Ringgold 
Station, 3 weeks after the battle, and shipped to Atlanta. At Ring- 
gold Station I found Fred Haller. He could walk then, although a 
buUet had gone through his head, we kept together after that. 

At Atlanta, we ran onto Geo. Coleman, who had been shot 
through the bowels, but was now able to walk. So there were three 
of us Co. A boys together, but in a weelc we were separated. Cole- 
man was left at Atlanta, Haller and I were sent to Richmond, the 
lower story of Libby Prison, because our officers were up stairs. 
They having heard that we had not been fed for two or three days, 
contributed to our relief, which in tke end made our lot worse. We 
were in Libby three days, then taken up the Hill to another prison 
where we found Harmon Martin of Co. A who, as an Ambulance 
driver, tliough not present with the Co. in the battle, had been 




B. T. STRONG. C.R. GREEN. 

1866 

TEACHER. STUDENT 

AGE 23i YRS. AGE 21 YRS. 



Here we see pictured out two young men, 
home from the War, and polished up by a 
year or so of Milan O. Normal School learning. 
Each taught school several terms before they 
settled down to steady farm life. The Author 
of this went to Kan. in 1867 and grew up with 
it. His comrade staid there in Ohio. 
These Gem tin types of War and School days 
answered then, but are poor excuses now, 50 
years later to have an engraving made from. 



captured in some way or other. Thus there were 8 of us again, 
for about 36 hours, when our names were called, and I thought 
it was for Exchnge, and was so disappointed because I was not 
called out. Martin and Haller were called, and as I learned after- 
wards were taken down to Andersonvile. Haller was held a pris- 
oner 15 months. 

I was taken out to the hospital and operated on. No Ether or 
Chloroform were used. The Surgeon made an incision about four 
inches long in my left arm, and with his fingers took out the bones. 
My left arm was one inch shorter than the right. I entered the 
Union lines at City Puint. I was a prisoner 58 days. I was paroled 
for 2 weeks. I went direct to Annapolis, reaching there Nov. 18, 
1863. Here paroled prisoners were kept until exchanged. I was 
cleaned up, and discarding my old coat, I forgot my Diary and the 
knife and fork got at the Preacher's,* in the pocket. 

I left Annapolis, Md. after New Years. I was sent to New Al- 
bany, Ind. Then a party was made up for Camp Chase, (near Co- 
lumbus, O.) and I was put in it, one night in the camp. Then I was 
sent to the Hospital. In due time a furlough was given me home, 
and when out, time extended, and upon my return to the Hospital, 
I received an honorable discharge May 5, 1864. 

Answers to Some Questions. 

I have a good memory of my war service. I was with my Com- 
mand pretty steady from start to Chicamauga. 

At the Stone River Battle, I was one of the ten men left to an- 
swer to roll call out of 28. I was in the same Division Hospital 
tent sick at Murfreesboro, the spring of 1863, when our Co. A 
comrade, Henry Fish died. The doctor said to me one day, you 
are able to walk around and help in the garden, but I put out to 
the Army and went with my Company. I visited Chicamauga 
Battlefield in 1904, and spent nearly a week looking up ou r posi- 
tions during the Battle. I have maps and books in plenty on the 
Battle, and have made talks about the Battle before public assem- 
blys. 



76 

* Charles Green, Benj. Strong, and others of Co. A, who the 
first weeks' service, Sept., 1862, were out on picket several miles 
from Covington, Ky., watching against the Rebel Gen'l, Kirby 
Smith's advance, entered a deserted preacher's house between 
the lines, and provided themselves with knives, spoons, etc., for 
their camp use. C. R. Green carried his knife the 3 years of war 
and has it and other articles got then in his war museum. 



TO MY COMRADE'S MEMORY. 

This war story of Sergt. B. T. Strong, of Oberlin, O., who en- 
listed Aug. 1862, from Wakeman, O, in Co. A, 101st. O. V. I., along 
with some ten others from that town, and outlived all of them by 
some 3 years, was written out and printed Nov. 8 to 13, 1913, by 
Charles R. Green, a fellow-townsman and comrade during the war, 
and is dedicated to his memory, with the hopes that the children 
of Comrade Strong will always remember what the father went 
through that our Union might be preserved, and the stain of slav- 
ery wiped out. And as a testimonial to Benj. T. Strong's unflinch- 
ing integrity all through life, and his influence always towards 
what lifted man up, I send this little work out to help make up 
the "Annals of the War". 

Charles R. Green, Olathe, Kansas. Publisher. 



HISTORY OP BENJAMIN TALMAGE STRONG 
And His Comrades, the Wakeman Boys, in 
The 101st. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
In The Civil War. 
Benjamin Talmage Strong was born in Wakeman, Ohio, April 
10, 1<S43. His parents were Cyrus Strong and Susan Ann Cur- 
tis, of Woodbury, Conn., who came to Wakeman in the spring of 
1827; they being the first family to settle east of the Center, and 
the only road to their place being an Indian trail. Here they lived 
in a log house on the bank of the Vermillion river, until about 
1840, when they built the frame house on the Cent*^r road. In the 
new house the author of this narrative was born. When he was 
five years old he commenced going to school in the old Red School 
House, one half mile west of the Center, having to travel one 
and one-half miles, wliich was rather tough on a five year old. 
At this time there was no house east of Brandy Creek but there 
was a small clearing on the hill east of the creek. It is the farm 
now owned by Mr. Hurst, then belonging to Elias Robinson. 
There was a also a clearing on the opposite side of the road, the 
rest of the way was all woods. His first teacher was Mariette 
Hyde, and som« of his schoolmates were Samuel Wilson, Henry 
Deck, Albert Bunce, Ferdinand Farrand, Wilber Sherman. Cecil 
Abbott, and Charles Abbott. Charles Abbott was the first per- 
son killed by the cars Aug. l3, 1853, in Wakeman. It was at the 
time of the opening of the Cleveland and Toledo R. R., when the 
company gave a free excursion to Toledo. Abbott and some oth- 
er boys were left at home and they got to playing with some flat 
cars on the switch and he got Itis head between the bumpers with 
the usual result. Sam Wilson got his hand badly hurt at the same 
time. That first summer, the board of education built the new 
school house back of the Episcopal church, and that winter 
school took up in the new house. It was tilled to overflowing, 



some of the scholars being young men and women. It was a bitter, 
cold winter, and between the cold and the crowded house the lit- 
tle fellows stood a poor chance of making much advancement in 
English or Matehmatics. The teacher that winter was George 
Smith, who was a stern Disciplinarian. At the age of about thir- 
teen, Benjamin's services being needed on the farm, the summer 
schooling was discontinued. The only chance he had of gaining 
an education afterwards, being the three or four months of winter 
school. Time rolled along until the fall of 1860, when the great 
rail-splitter campaign come on, and to help the interests of the 
party, a large, wide awake company was formed of which Strong 
was a member, they drilled nights by their torches in 'Squire Ba- 
con's meadow, Capt. Carley being drill master. In the meantime, 
a pole, having the regulation maul on top was raised near where 
John Griffin's house now stands. The county offrered a prize of 
a silk banner to the company having the largest gain over the 
last election. Wakeman won the prize. On a certain evening 
after the election, all the companies in the county met at Nor- 
walk, and after a grand parade, the banner was presented to the 
"Wakeman company. This little bi-play of soldiering might have 
seemed foolish to many, but there was nothing equal to it, for 
arousing the Patriotism of the young men and boys of the North, 
and preparing them for the great struggle that was soon to come. 
The pent up mutterings of the South soon broke out in loud 
threats of Secession, and they soon took measures to carry those 
threats into execution. On the 12th day of April, 1861, the overt 
act was committed by firing on Fort Sumpter. Instantly the whole 
North was in the most intense excitement, and as soon as the call 
for 75 thousand was made, many times that number responded, 
but it was thought that a few men would be sufficient, and the 
Government was poorly prepared to equip a large force, so many 
eager men were turned back. It soon became evident that we 



were engaged in no picnic, and after we had met with some dis 
mal defeats, the President called for 300 thousand to serve for 
three years. After many defeats and disappointments, the Pres- 
ident, on the first day of July 1862, called for a second 300 thous- 
and to serve three years, or during the war, and under this call, 
twelve Wakem an boys responded, namely: 

Harmon H. Martin, Elwood Martin, Lovel R. Simmons, 

James Marks, Alpheus Welch, Albert R. Hill, 

John Hasbrook, Gideon D. Webb, Sam'l W. Wilson, 

Wm. H. Russell, John R. Griffin, Benj. T. Strong. 

For some unknown reason Marks and Simmons were not mus- 
tered. This enlistment occurred on the 9th and lllh days of Au- 
gust, 1862, and in a few days these boys reported at Norwalk, 
where the Co. was to assemble. While in Norwalk, the Co. was 
drilled by an ex-three months man from New London, Justus F. 
Brisock, who subsequently became Orderly of the company. 
They got their meals under a long shed back of the old Farmer's 
Hotel, and slept wherever they could find a place, Some were 
lucky enough to have friends in town and fared very well. After 
three or four days the company was moved to Monroeville, where 
our Norwalk experience was repeated for two or three days more, 
until the Barracks were completed, when the several companies 
were marched one half mile north of town and took possession of 
their new home. Here the time was spent drilling and guarding 
camp and outfitting until the 30rh day of August, when the regi- 
ment was mustered into the United States service for three years 
or during the war, being designated as the 101st O. Vol, Inft., 
and the company in which the Wakemen boys were placed, Co, A, 
and their position in line, the Right of the regiment. The 4th. 
day of Sept. 1862, the Kegt. was ordered to Cincinnati to help 
repel the threatened invasion of Kirby Smith, who was approach- 
in <>• Cincinnati. Alpheus Welch was left at camp Monroeville, 



and after a time, Nov. 19, '62, received his discharge at Columbus, 
O. Arriving at Cincinnati in the morning the Regt. marched to 
the market house where they were provided with a bountiful 
breakfast, and were marched across the river and up a long hill 
to Covington Heights, where the Union Forces were building a 
fort. (Going up this hill John Hasbrook gave out, and was sent 
back to Cincinnati, and later at Louisville, he was discharged Nov. 
26, 1862.) It would take too much space to tell the many ludic- 
rous things that happened while the Regt. lay in front of Fort 
Mitchell, (as the fort was named after the General and an As- 
tronomer of that name.) But the Rebels did come almost within 
musket range, and their camp was not more than a mile away. 
After about two weeks of exciting times, the Regt. was ordered to 
Louisville to join Buell's army who were having a race with Gen. 
Bragg, to see who should be the first to drink out of the Ohio riv- 
er. On the way to Louisville the Regt. had a novel t^xperience. 
On leaving Cincinnati, someone telegraphed ahead that the Regt. 
was on the road and when the train, which was composed of flat 
cars, box cars, cattle cars and any old cars, arrived at Sej'^more, 
Ind., it was stopped near a lumber yard, and when the soldiers 
alighted they found the lumber piles covered with all manner of 
eatables. On getting word that the boys were coming, the women 
with one accord, flew to their flour barrels, and for the next few 
hours, there were lively times in that little town. Hot bread, hot 
beans, hot cakes, hot coffee, everything hot. It was sometliing 
long to be remembered, especially as it was the last meal the3'' 
were to eat in a civilized country in manj" a long month. To s]iow 
their appreciation, the boys on leaving the town, gave three loud 
cheers with a tiger for the ladies of Seymour. Arriving at Louis- 
ville the Regt. was marched through the city, going into camp on 
the outskirts. Some of the Wakeman boys from the 41st O. V. 
Inft. who were with BuoU's army came into camp, and their own 
parents would not have known them, they were so ragged and 



dirty, after their Jong march from Corinth, Miss. While the Regt. 
lay at Louisville, the officers considered it a religious duty to 
rout the men out at four o'clock in the morning and keep them 
standing in line for two hours, -with their immense knapsacks 
strapped on their backs, putting them through the hardening pro- 
cess, to be sure. On the first day of Oct. the Army was ordered 
to march in pursuit of Bragg's Army, who was followed so close- 
ly that he was forced to turn and give battle at Perryville, on the 
8th, of October, 1862, and although the 101st Ohio was not per- 
mitted to be in the thickest of the fight, the Reg. acquitted itself 
honorably. (When the Regt. left Louisville, A. R. Hill was left 
behind to guard Regimental propert}^ and never re-joined it, but 
was discharged January 31, 1863, and after that, enlisted in some 
other regiment.) Bragg was badly worsted in this battle, and 
made haste to leave the state, passing through Cumberland Gap 
while the Union Army turned toward Nashville, passing through 
Bowling Green. At this place Webb and Wilson were left, being 
unable to stand the march, so that there now remained of the 
Wakeman boys, five of the ten who started out, namely: Elwood 
Martin, Harmon Martin, Wm. Russell, John Griffin, and Bud 
Strong. Arriving at Nashville, they went into camp, on the Gran- 
ny White Pike, a few miles south of the city, the time being occu- 
pied in drilling, foraging and on picket duty. On the 25th of De- 
cember, 1862, orders were issued to the Army to be ready to 
march the next day, and all who were not able to march should 
be sent to Nashville. Elwood Martin and John Grifiln were sent 
back. Martin died in hospital of Typhoid fever, January, 23, 1863. 
Griffin had the Black Measels, but recovered, and re-joined the 
Regt. at Murfreesboro in Jan. '63. The army moved out of camp 
on the 26tli of Dec, and about noon, the Brigade to which the 
101st. belonged, met the enemy at Knob Gap, and charged a Reb- 
el Battery strongly posted in a range of hills, the 10 1st capturing 



one of the guns. E. H. Kilboum, who lived in Wakeman after 
the war, being the first to reach the g an. During the battle of 
Stone River, which occurred on Dec 31st., 1862, and Jan. 1st. and 
2nd., 1863. Harmon Martin was detailed for hospital service. 
Thus leaving Russell and Strong to represent the Wakeman boys. 
After the battle, the Regt. camped in the woods about two miles 
south of Murfreesboro, and the winter was spent in scouting, for- 
aging, and doing picket duty. When the Regt, was mustered, 
Co. A had two Non-Commissioned officers from the Wakeman 
boys. Hill and Webb being appointed corporals. On the first day 
of Feb. 1863, neither of these being present with tlie company, 
John Griffin was appointed Corporal, and Strong was ajjpointed 
Sergeant. In the early part of April, Strong began to be seriously 
indis])osed, he would come out of his tent in the morning all tied 
up in a knot, and it would take some time to get limbered up. 
The Doctor pronounced it scurvy and he was sent to the Field Hos- 
pital on the bank of Stone River, where he remained one month. 
A short time previous to his going to the Hospital, Sam Wilson 
had returned to the company. On the 24th of June, the army took 
up it's Southward journey, and the Corps and Division to which 
the 101st. belonged, soon got into business at Liberty Gap. The 
Corps lost 40 killed, and 100 wounded, Sam Wilson getting a bullet 
through his haversack. The Army pressed on and flanked Bragg 
out of TuUahoma, whence he retreated to Chattanooga and com- 
menced fortifying. The Army arrived in the vicinity of Winches- 
ter, Tenn., on the 4th of July, and here we heard the news of the 
victory at Gettysburg and the faU of Vicksburg, and it would be 
difficult to describe the rejoicing that took place on account of 
these victories. While we lay at Winchester, the Captain and Or- 
derly Sergeant of Co. A went home on Furlough, and Strong being 
the only Sergeant left with the Company, acted as Orderly. On 
the I7th. day of August the Army broke camp at Winchester, and 



started South, the main object being to flank Gen'l Bragg out of 

Chattanooga, and to do this, the Army had to cut loose from its 
communication cross three or four mountain ranges, and the Ten- 
nessee River, and supply that great Army by moving the supplies 
over these natural obstacles in wagons. On the 4th. of Sept., the 
army v^as across the river without the loss of a man or an animal. 

On the 7th. Bragg withdrew from Chattanooga, and Rosecrans 
supposing him to be in full retreat, placed his army in an indefen- 
sible position, the right and left wings being once fifty miles apart 
with rough mountainous country intervening, and Bragg's army 
in the center. But by skillful ma,neuvering Rosecrans managed 
to concentrate his army before Bragg could strike a blow, and was 
thus able to give battle on ground of his own choosing. On the 
morning of the 19th of September, the 101st, with its Brigade, 
was at Crawfish Springs, but it soon had orders to move, and made 
a run of three miles to the Viniard Farm, where it went into posi- 
tion in a large cornfield, the left resting in some woods skirting the 
field. Orders were given to lie down, so that the Battery could fire 
into the woods in front. The Battery fired so low some of our own 
men were hit, Charles Green being one of them. Orders were soon 
given to charge the woods, not knowing what was there, as the en- 
emy had not fired a gun. But we soon found out, for we had no 
sooner reached the woods than they met us in strong force, and 
there being no support on the right, we were forced to give ground. 

On a slight ridge somewhat to the rear of our first position, the 
Regt. rallied and made a desperate effort to stay their progress, 
but it was no use, for they far out-numbered us, and we had to 
fall back again. It was at this place that brave Sam Wilson re- 
ceived the fatal bullet. Stepping a little to one side to get the shel- 
ter of a friendly stump, he had just reached it when he threw 
up both hands, fell backwards, uttering the words: "Oh, Ben! 
This was the last seen of him. We fell back to a piece of woo^Js 



where we rallied again, and after re-forming the lines and getting 
reinforcements, we went at them again, fighting this ground over 
two or three times that afternoon and at night, holding nearly all 
that we had fought on. Bill Russell was slightly wounded in the 
hand in this fight. The next morning we moved about a mile, 
and took position at the southwest corner of the Brotherton field 
in the edge of some woods behind some low log breastworks 
thrown up during the night by some other troops, and immedi- 
ately threw out skirmishers to relieve those who were out during 
the night. They had not gone out of sight when both lines of 
skirmishers were driven in. and from behind the breastwork we 
fired several volleys into the advancing enemy. Our Brigade, (Car- 
lins) had about 1300. men in line. The division to our left (Woods,) 
by misinterpretation of orders had been taken out the line of bat- 
tle and taken to another part of the field, leaving a gap of a divis- 
ion front. There was nothing on our right within supporting dis- 
tance, and we were confronted by three divisions of Longstreet's 
Corps, fresh from Virginia. There was one of two things to do, 
run or be captured in toto. It was needless to say that we ran. It 
is said that we had orders to do so, but if we did some did not have 
the orders, and were a little slow in getting started. Strong was 
one of these, and after he did start he had not gone more than 
thirty paces, when something struck him that sent him sprawling 
to the ground, and on getting to his feet again he found his left 
arm limp as a rag, a baU having passed through both bones mid- 
way between the wrist and elbow. Before he got up, their solid 
lines of Rebel troops passed him. In that pursuit of our men, 
Charles Green and John Griffin were each wounded but escaped. 
Soon some Rebel stragglers came back, and Strong was ordered 
to their rear. He, with others were taken about three miles, cross- 
ing the Chicamauga at Reed's Bridge to the Rebel Field hospital, 
suffering the most excrutiating pain every step of the way. Soon 



after arriving there, he was placed on an operating table, fully ex- 
pecting to loose his arm, fortunately there were two Union Sur- 
geons there, and after considerable consultation, they decided to 
leave it on for a time. That same afternoon, the Rebel Gen. Hood 
had his leg amputated on the same table. Strong was detained at 
this hospital some ten days, when he, with three hundred other 
wounded prisoners was started for the South. At Ringgold, where 
they took the cars, he met Fred Haller, of his Company, (a man 
from Fitchville), who had been shot through the head on Saturday 
and left on the field for dead, or supposed to be. It is needless to 
say that he was very glad to meet one of his Company, and togeth- 
er they journeyed to Richmond. The trip was made mostly by 
daylight, the train stopping at night on some siding, the men be- 
ing allowed to get out and stretch themselves and lay on the bare 
ground, which was quite a privilege, when it is remembered that 
they were packed in box cars so closely that to lie down, was im- 
possible. The first stop was at Atlanta, where they were detained 
a week in the stockade, the boys called it "Bull Pen." As we left 
the train the women, about the depot (and they were richly dress- 
ed) made some very uncomplimentary rem^arks about the 

Yanks. Here we met George Coleman, of Co. A, who had been 
shot through the body, and who died later in Andersonville. After 
leaving Atlanta the first night was spent in Augusta, the next at 
Raleigh. At Columbia some of the cars perversely left the track 
as we were being switched onto another road which detained us 
for some time. A few hours run from Raleigh, the engine get- 
ting tired of the track, took to the ditch, with disastrous conse- 
quences to the feelings of a coach load of Rebel citizens who hap- 
pened to be next to the engine, and v.'ho were sorry that the 

Yanks had not been in their place. Oar smash- up occurred in 
some woods, and the only way to proceed was to send to Weldon 
for another train which did not come to our relief until ten o'clock 



in the night, some twelve hours after the accident. There being 
a less number of cars, some of the soldiers were obliged to go on 
top. The train arrived at Weldon before daylight, and after a 
few hours delay, started for Petersburg and Richmond, arriving 
at the latter place, about noon. 

As we crossed the James Hiver on a high bridge, we could see 
in the distance Bell Isle, where Union Soldiers were confined in 
a starving condition. This was Monday morning in the early 
part of November, and as soon as we were off the cars we were 
started down the street in the direction of Libby Prison, which we 
?:oon reached, and were placed in a large room without a sign of 
furniture in it, and only one faucet from which to obtain water, 
and when the men were all lain down there was an alley a foot 
wide between each two rows of men to move about in. The Union 
officers were confined in the room above the soldiers, and the boys 
were not long in finding means of communication with them, and 
many in this way learning that their own officers were very near 
them. Maj. McDonald of the 101st, who was in command of the 
Reg't. Sunday, and who was one of the principal promoters of the 
escape from Libby Prison through the tunnel was one of them. 
There was a stairway at the back end of the building leading from 
our room to the officer's room, being boarded over at the top. We 
had been on very short rations during our journey, and the officers 
learning of this had sent out (they had the privilege of sending out 
and buying provisions) and bought a lot of bread and crackers, 
and the first thing we knew they had ripped up a board and had 
thrown down a lot of eatables. 

Of course there was a great rush for this corner of the room, 
and the guards at once discovered that something was wrong, 
and reported the fact to the proper officers, who came in and 
demanded to know who had done this awful deed. Thei-e was 
great ignorance in regard to the matter, no one having seen anv- 



body throw anything down. The Rebel officers told us we could 
have nothing to eat until we had told who did it. They kept their 
word well for three days and then returned and gave us a half 
loaf of bread each. That day we were taken from Libby, marched 
down the street one block, and up the hiU one block to another 
empty building, the only thing in it being an old stove, but as there 
was no wood this was worse than useless. But we sorely needed 
both, for the nights were getting chilly, and scarcely a man had a 
blanket After a while some officers came around examining the 
men and taking the names of those who were the most disabled, 
Strong being one of them. At night an order came for those who 
were on the list to report in the alley at the back of the building, 
and as their names were read off, they were put through a gate 
into the street. If we had been ignorant of the object of this move, 
it soon dawned upon us that this party were to be paroled and sent 
North, but Strong's time had not come. The list was gone through 
with, and his name had not been called. 

The next morning, Harmon Martin was brought to this build- 
ing, jTist coming down with the small-pox. He had been captured 
in the same battle, with the Ambulance train. He was sent to 
the small-pox Hospital, and later he and Fred Haller wei-e sent 
to Salisburj and Andersonville, both being held prisoners over 
fifteen months. That day. Strong was taken down the hill 
one block to a Hospital where in a few days he had an opera- 
tion performed, the Surgeon cutting a gash four inches long 
down to the bone, and then worming his finger around in this in- 
cision removing the pieces of bone, some of them an inch long, 
and during this operation he was perfectly conscious, having ta- 
ken nothing to deaden the senses. From the time he left the Bat- 
tlefield Hospital until this operation, or elven days in all, he did 
not have a clean bandage, but by the most careful attention upon 
his part, he escaped contracting any disease that might have 



proved serious. After being a week in this Hospital, he, with a 
large party were put on board a canal boat and started down the 
James River for City Point, They were so crowded on this boat 
that there was scarcely room to stand. At City Point the party 
was transferred to the City of New York, a fine U. S. Gov't ves- 
sel, and were soon on our way to Annapolis. 

About the first thing that happened aboard the vessel, we were 
given a loaf of bread each, and a big bowl oi coffee, and after an 
extended fast, we considered it the most appropriate thing that 
could have been done. 

We were a day and night on Chesapeake Bay, arriving at An- 
napolis in the morning. We were at once taken to St. Jolm's 
College hospital and assigned to wards in the various College 
buildings. This was an Episcopal College, and the Dormitory 
buildings had been taken for hospital purposes. The first thing 
that we did in our new quarters, we were taken to a bath room, 
stripped of all our clothing, and were given a good scrubbing in 
hc»t water, which we sadly needed, and then rigged out in a new 
suit of Uncle Sam's blue clothes, the old ones meanwhile being 
clumped out the window. This was the cold winter of '63-64, and 
the Bay was frozen over in places and from our windows we 
could see men gathering oysters through the ice, and by the way 
they formed a large part of our living. During our stay here, the 
Russian war fleet come into port and the sailors coming on shore, 
had many a scrap with our soldiers. New Year's day we had a 
very nice Turkey dinner, one item of the menu being a glass of 
ale, which was not much relished by some of the guests. Soon 
after New Years, a party was made up and sent to Madison, Ind., 
and after a week in this Hospital, the inmates were examined to 
see if they were able to go to the Parole camp, it being understood 
that they would be sent to Camp Chase, Ohio. 

The Doctor thought the subject of this sketch was not able to 



stand camp life, but after mnch pleading by the interested party, 
he was permitted to go along. The party was put on board a boat 
bound for Cincinnati, and arriving there, were taken to Colum- 
bus, and from there to Camp Chase, where they were put in Pa- 
role Barracks, which were very dirty, miserable affairs, and one 
of them at least, was occupied by a very questionable lot of men. 
The next morning he reported to the Doctor, and was ordered to 
the Hospital whicli was more than pleasing to him, as one nigtit 
in that barraoks was a plenty. At the hospital he was examined 
once a week for some time, the Doctors not appearing to be able 
to determine what was best to do. Finally, about the first of April 
'64. they said, well, we will give him a thirty days furlough, and 
when he comes back we will decide. It is almost imjiossible to 
describe the feeling of home- sickness to one who has never ex- 
perienced it. That awful feeling that comes over one when long 
absent from home and dear ones that makes one feel that he would 
almost embrace a measly dog that come from his home town. You 
can readily imagine then the joy that came to the heart of the 
wounded soldier as he contemplated the thought of once more 
visiting the scenes of his early childhood, and sitting once more 
ab Mother's table. The thirty days passed rapidly away, and at 
their end he reluctlantly bid good bye, aud started, for Camp 
Chase. Soon after his arrival he was examined by the Surgeons 
and pronounced unfit for further military duty, and honorably 
discharged from the service of the United States Government, 
the discharge being dated May 5th., 1864. 

Bill Russell was never with the Co. uicy more, In the winter of 
'63-64 he was transferred to the Gunboat service, Webb returned 
to the Reg't. in the spring of 1864, and participated in the Atlanta 
Campaign until the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, when he was 
severely wounded, and was discharged March 27th, li-Q'.]. John 
Griffin, after lying in hospital all winier, ran away from a '^':o,.. 



land Hospital before he had recovered from his wounds, and 
made his way back to the Reg't. where he stayed until they were 
mustered out June 12th, 1865. This ends the history of the Wake- 
man boys as nearly as can be told after a 1 ap se of forty-three 
years, without any data, except what is stored in the brain of one 
of the interested parties. Oberlin, 0. , 1907. 

BENJ. T. STRONG 



Comrades of Co. A, and of the other Cos, of the 101st O. V. I, 
and the friends of those who have passed away, I will explain to 
you that when I arranged with Sergt. Ben. Strong in 1905 for this 
Biography, it was after I had written one for him, and submitted 
it to his approval. He rejected it because he said I had given him 
to prominent a place in it. So he then went to work and wrote the 
20 pages of Mss. I have given the reader. In it he only undertakes 
to give the history of his Wakeman township boys in Co. "A" 
and his own history to his discharge. 

I think now ( 1913) after reading several old letters, that Strong 
and I should have had Bill Russell on our C— battle list, thus mak- 
ing Lieut. Bryant and 17 men to enter action Strong mentions 
him twice. Among the 4 men left of Co "A" at the close of Battle 
we failed to give Albert Whitney's name. Nor should we omit the 
mention of Sergt. Knapp's heroism in rescuing the Regimental 
Colors Saturday and carrying them through the rest of the Battle 

For all of these prominent actions by the "Old 101st Boys", see 
our comrade L. W. Day's History of the Regt. There are plenty 
for sale yet. It is a fine illustrated book of 463 pages. 

The undersigned will, in time, give some further history of 
the Co. "A" Boys, and their services to the end of the War. 
20 pp. C. R. GREEN, 



A VISIT 41 YFARS AFTER, TO THE NATIONAL PARK OP 

CHATTANOOGA AND CHICAMAUGA. 

By Sergt. B. T. STRONG, of The 10 1st OHIO Vol. Inft. 

Printed now for the first time, "50 Years After", 

The Battle of Chicamauga. 



SOME EXTRACTS FROM OLD LETTERS, 
When Comrade Strong quit the farm in Wakeman in 1886, and moved 
to Oberlin to give his family a home virhile getting their education, he 
found it agreeable as well as profitable to go to work at the stone mason's 
trade. Especially that part of dressing up the great stones used for out- 
side ornanientation on ."woirk. After working at it a few years, here is 
how his wife Mary puts it in a few sentences in a letter dated May 12, 1901, 

"Ben works too hard and is getting bent and worn, I hope he vvrill 

never need to build another house, and do the stone work, it is too haavy 
and wearing. 1 am so glad however, to have a good modern arranged stone 
and brick house." 

Another letter, this time from Ben, dated Oct. 15, 1905, refuses to let 
me publish in my "Wakeman Book of Some Local History and Biographies" 
a biography of my own get up about Strong that I sent on for his approval 
because it gave him "altogether too much, notoriety which is something 
contraiy to my own make up," and sa ys tha-l" ho will write a history of the 
Wakeman Boys and himself for me lo u.-e, (wluoh as the reader can see 
he did by 1907 and which we haveused.) 

Ben now proceeds this sam€ date to write about a winter and sprang 
trip he made to the Pacific coast and back to enable him to rest up from hi^ 
hard labors of 17 years dressing stone. He says: Charlie I don't know as I 
have ever written to you about my trip West. In the winter of 1903-'04 I 
visited my son, Jarvis A. Strong, professor of music, located at Dayton, 
Washington. From there I went on to the Pacific coast, where I visited all 
the principal cities from Seattle to Los Angeles. Returning bv New Or- 
leans and Chattanooga, wliere I spent a most delightful week. 

CRAWFISH SPRINGS. 
I spent three days tramping over the old battlefield, and found things 
T.:;ry much changed in some respects. There is a steam railway out through 
Crawfish Springs where there is quite a little burg. The old Leg mansion 
.s.iil scf:nda but was unoccupied. There is a very large hotel close by the 
springs, but is now used as a hospital, there being a regiment of U. G. 
eavlary quartered between the Viniard House and the widow Glenn House. 
The read we tcok from the Springs to the Battlefield in war days is not in 
use as the railway crosses it seven times between the Springs and Lytle 
station which is quite a villag?, situated near whore we crossed the Dry 



ON THE OLD CHICAMAUGA BATTLEFIELD. 
Valley road Sunday morning of the fight three-fourths of a mile north of 
tix Widow Glenn houste. 

General Lytle was liilled on the ridge a short distance south of where 
we halted when Gen. Rosecrans rode along the line just before we advanc- 
ed to the log breast works on Sunday morning. 

MISSION KIDGE AND NATIONAL CEMETERY. 

The first day I was in Chattanooga I went to the National Cemetery, 
and from there to Mission Ridge where I fell in with a comrade from Well- 
ington, 0., Ben Vanator, and by the way, a cousin of Miles E. Cartwright. 
He was a fine compa::ion and as anxious to see things as I was; although 
he was not in the battle but his battery, the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, 
was stationed in Chattanooga during the seige. 

The first day we took the Rapid Transit electric line which landed 
us about one-fourth mile west of the inter-section of the Lafayette and 
Reeds Bridge loads, and three-fourths of a mile north of Snodgrass Hill. 
We made our way immediately to the latter place and commenced our work. 
The old Snodgrass house and barn stood in their original condition, (even to 
a mule in the barn) and although there was a batery right in front of 
the house and some most desperate fighting occurred here, there is not a 
scratch of a bullet or shell on either one. 

We spent the morning looking over the ground and reading the tablets. 
The position of every brigade is marked by a tablet, which is a case iron 
plate 3x4 feet square erected on an iron post containing about 300 words la 
raised letters faced with white paint, and as you know every Ohio regi- 
mets position is marked by a fine granite monument, and every Ohio reyi- 
sition is marked by a duplicate battery in style and number of guns with 
cast iron carriages, it is easy for the old soldiers to find their positions in 
the battle. 

i'^roia Snodgrass Hill we nassed to the Right, through Lytle station, 
pass Bloody Pond to the Widow Glenn house which was burned during the 
battle but now restored. Near here is Gen. Wilder's Brigade monument, a 
circular stone tower 90 feet high, from the top of which one gets a splen- 
did view of the surrounding country. From here we went back to Lytle 
Hill and started to find our Sunday position. Going about three-forths of 
a mile directly east we came to our Brigade (Carlin's) tablet in the South- 
west corner of the Brotherton field and among other things I road this: 
"Number engaged something over 1300; per cent of casualities 57.57," some- 
thing that I did not see on anyother tablet. To think that our own coai- 
mand Gen. Carlins Brigade of Gen. Davis' Division right here lost over 
half of their number in killed, wounded and orisoners in less than an hour's 
time, Sunday noon, and that here it was that you and I, John Grihin and 
others of Company A, got shot and only four men of the Company left. 

You know that we were isolated in the battle line, that Gen. Wood 
having withdrawn his division on the Left and Gen. Sheridan far to our 
rear on our Right lelt fatal gaps on each side of us. Well tne ground did 



not look right to me. You remember we lay just in the edge of the 
timber well back from the present tablet, which was evidently intended io 
mark our position then. Some growth of white oaks now only 6 or 8 inches 
through, there evidently planted by the Park Board to replace the timber 
cleared off since the battle from the field in front of us now confused me. 
You know the Rebel Gen. Longstreet, had two divisions in front ox us that 
day. Well we made our way down the lines to the left arriving 
at the car station about dark, it having rained a drizzle all day. 

The next day we took the steam cars for Crawfish Springs, we took 
the dirt road for Gordon's Mill which we found to be the same structure 
that it was there 40 years ago withsome modern improvements, turning 
out 60 barrels of flour every tw^enty four hours. From here we followc^a 
the Lafayette Road north to the Viniard farm where we were engaged Sat- 
urday. Here it became interesting. About 100 yards east of the road are 
ranged our Brigade monuments. 1st to the south the Slst Indiana, then the 
21st Illinois, the 101st Ohio and lastly the 38th Illinois. 

GEN. CARLLN'S brigade MONUMENTS AND SAT'YS FIGHT, 

After viewing the monuments we crossedthe road to the house and 
inquired of an old gentleman if that was the Viniard house? No; he said 
that stood over there, pointing to the south. A lady standing on the porch 
said to us: "Won't you come in and have a cup of coiieeV" We told her we 
thought it very kind of her, and went in and had hot biscuit and coffee. 
She told us about the Major, andl asked her about her father. And later we 
saw his name. Major Lynam, 9th Mississippi, on a Rebel tablet. 

A (cannon) shell monument a little north and west of the house marks 
the spot where Col. Heg of the 15th Wisconsin was mortally wounded. 1 
think one monument stands very near the spot where Sam Wilson of 
Company A fell. From here we went to Hall's Ford Tower. By the way, 
there are three viewpoints on the field, 70 feet high. On Snodgrass Hill 
one, near the Reed Bridge Road east of the Kelly field one, and the one 
at Kails Ford of the Chicamauga Creek. They are all built of iron. 

You remember the words wnere we found the Rebels Saturday were 
filled with a dense vmderbrush, as they were on many other parts of the 
battlefield. Now this brush is all cleared away and you can see a long 
distance. 

From Halls Ford we came back to the Lafayette Road and followed 
that to the left past the Brotherton house which is about east of where 
Woods' division was in line Sunday morning. And although there was 
severe fighting all around we failed to find therna rk of a bullet or shell on 
it. (I think that the old buildings of war days on the battle ground had 
mostly decayed or been destroyed previous to the Park Boards' work and 
that they restored them anew with such old looking matex-ial from other 
log cabins as they could get, when I was there at the dedication of the Park 
in 1895 and spent 3 or 4 days looking it all over I caught on to a lot of 
these things becausa there weio hundreds of comrades and hundreds of Con- 
fciderates who had all been in the battle. — Editor.' 



ON THE OLD CHICAMAUGA BATTLEFIELD. 

Following the Lafayette Road still further north to the Poe field, we 
find that the State of Georgia has erected a fine monument about 50 feet 
i-igh, and right here is where our lines commenced to bend to the east an 
north around the ICelly farm, and our side maintained this position without 
much fighting while the battle was raging in Snodgrass Hill. It being 
near nip"ht we made our way to the electric station feeling that we had 
spent a profitable day. 

The next day, bunday, my companion thought he would not go, so I 
started alone. Going out by the Electric I wanted to find the place where 
I was held a prisoner. I took the Reed Bridge road to the bridge passing 
over the ground where the battle opened Saturday morning . Crossing the 
bridge the ground did not look right to me, being grown up to timber. So 
I turned back and took the road to Alexander's Bridge, passing Jay's 
Mill, but I was soon satisfied that that was not the place. I made my way 
back to the line of battleofSaturday,around the Winfrey house and Brock 

THE BROCK FIELD AND 4 1st OHIO, 
field, where the 41st Ohio was engaged and Col. Baldwin was killed. Then 
north on the road to the Kelly field and around that field where I found a 
large number of monuments to which I had not discovered before. It was 
now getting dark and I hastened my way to the car station, havig traveled 
on foot about 12 miles. In fact we averaged ten or twelve miles every day, 
for a week that we werearound Chattanooga. All these little bridle paths 
of war days are now broad macadam roads and there is a 50 foot boule- 
vard from the north end of Missionary Ridge to Ringold station a number 
of miles long as smooth as a pevement. 

Well I will say that I enjoyed my visit immensely and would liked to 
have had spent a month going over all the ground that Gen, Davis' divi;;- 
ion of Gen. McCook's corps covered after crossing the Tennessee river, 
near Bridgeprt, Alabama, Septeraber 4, 1863 until the Chicamauga Battle 
closed. 

THE MONUMENTS THE STATE OF OHIO HAS BUILT. 
It is wonderful what the state of Ohio has done to commemorate the 
valor of her heroes and martyrs, besides the 55 granite monuments on Chica- 
maugas Field, she has erected an 85 foot monument on Missionary Ridgci 
at a cost of $27,000, and whereever an Ohio regiment gained the crest of 
the Ridge in that battle of Missionary Ridge ,she has placed a bronze tablet 
mounted o na granite post, giving a description of the action of tiie legi- 
ment. 

It is a beautiful country and Chattanooga is a very enterprising city, 
and I shall certainly revisit it and stay longer. Do you know Charlie, I take 
great pleasure in redaing the set ofthelSO volumes and 500 maps, official 
Rebellion Records, in our library. I have a book that I prize much, Gen. 
Boyington's Report in 1895 to the Government on the Dedication of the Chat- 
tanooga ad Chicamauga National Park. 

Yours truly, with kind regards, 
BENJAMIN T. STRONG, 
Late of Compan" A, 101st O. V. I, Army of the Cumberland. 



CLOSING WORD. 

Olathe, Kan. Dec. 9, 1913. 

At this date I would say to Comrade Strong's friends, that I 
have waited 5 weeks to get hold of Strong's Cut used on page 171, 
101st Ohio History, and failed. So I send his little pamphlet out 
to fulfill its mission. 

I never met a Civil War Veteran who has studied up the de- 
tails of Gen. Rosecrans' Chickamauga Campaign, and that terrible 
Battle that cut our Regiment down from 225 to 65 men the first 
roll call afterwards, who could talk as near a straight story of it as 
Sergeant Strong of Oberlin O. 

About 4 weeks ago I sent out some 25 circular letters to the 
(supposed alive) members of Co A, and friends of the Old Boys 
who have answered the last roll call. I am astonished at the result 
of that spurt of mine. 5 answers, one from Phillip Henley of Tex. 
the youngest boy of Co A I expect, (67 now). Another from the 
dau. of Fred Haller, Kenesaw, Neb. saying that he was still alive 
but so paralyzed in his hands by rheumatism that he could'nt 
write, which I suppose is the matter with about 13 other of Co A 
Boys just now. 

I expect now to add to Comrade Strong's 25 ct pamphlet, a lot 
of my own War Experiences. It will cover all "Co A" members, in 
mentioning their names and from what towns. Especially will the 
Clarksfield Boys of the 101st get their turn, with war pictures etc 
Making a bound book of 60 or 75 pages for 50 cts. Those getting 
this pamphlet, can if they choose, after reading it turn it back to 
me to be bound into the larger book. 

Charles R. Green. Late of Co. A 101 O. V. I. 



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